ABC + ABCD [two mostly complete issues in one envelope]

Adler, Jeremy, ed., Nicholas Zurbrugg, Lawrence Upton, G. J. de Rook, Betty Radin, Jennifer Pike, bpNichol, Maurizio Nannucci, Jackson Mac Low, Dom Sylvester Houédard (dsh), P. C. Fencott, Paul Dutton, Bob Cobbing, Sylvia Finzi, Clemente Padín, Sean O’Huigin, Gayle Anderson, Paula Claire, Bill Bissett, Tamaki Kitamaya, et al.

London: The National Poetry Centre, 1975. First editions of 200. Eighty-one sheets in total between two issues, most of which are A4 in size printed in black on recto sides, some on recto and verso on white paper stock, a few on color paper stock. Housed in publisher’s original brown kraft envelope with title label affixed at top-left corner and writing in red ink.

Partially complete editions of the third and fourth issue of this assembling magazine in one envelope, edited by Jeremy Adler, where the ‘editorial policy was to accept everything that arrives in 200 copies by the (flexible) deadline.’ Housed inside original envelope with a handwritten note, presumably by Adler, stating ‘From ABC + ABCD for Exhibiting,’ possibly explaining why some contributions are lacking.

ABC with 43 of 50 contributions present. Featuring visual and concrete poetry and artwork by Nicholas Zurbrugg, Lawrence Upton, G. J. de Rook, Betty Radin, Jennifer Pike, bpNichol, Maurizio Nannucci, Jackson Mac Low, Dom Sylvester Houédard (dsh), P. C. Fencott, Paul Dutton, Clemente Padín, Bob Cobbing, and Robert Caldwell among others. Contributions by G. J. de Rook, Jennifer Pike, and Simon Parritt are signed by respective artist. Includes a two-sided sheet with an introduction by Adler and a list of contributors. Also includes two copies of Padín’s contribution. Lacking are nos. 1, 2, 5, 24, 27, 49, and 50.

ABCD with 37 of 45 contributions present. Featuring visual and concrete poetry and artwork by works by Bob Cobbing, Sylvia Finzi, Sean O’Huigin, Gayle Anderson, Chris Cheek, Paula Claire, Bill Bissett, Tamaki Kitamaya, Lawrence Upton, P. C. Fencott, and Fyodor Cherniavsky among others. Contributions by Simon Brown is signed by artist. Includes two sheets printed on recto sides with an introduction by Adler and a numbered list of contributors. Lacking are nos. 4, 8, 15, 23, 24, 34, 36, and 39.

Contents with trace amounts of handling creases, age toning, and additional age toning to sheets printed on poorer quality paper. Some faint staining on title page of ABCD. Cobbing’s contribution consisting of two sheets with some glue showing through and has now begun to come apart. Overall near fine. Envelope very good with age toning, wear along extremities, and bumps to corners. Item #901

Out of stock